A RARE SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN BORN IN THE MOSCOW ZOO

25.12.2019

The cub was born on December 18. So far, his mother - a 25-year-old female named Chavi – does not let the baby go out of her hands for a moment, carefully presses him to her chest, constantly sniffs and examines him. The small orangutan weighs no more than 1.3 kg, and his body is covered with characteristic reddish-brown hair. It will take at least three more months before he begins to explore the world independently and get acquainted with relatives.

Sumatran orangutans are one of the rarest primates on the planet. In nature, according to experts, their number does not exceed 14,000 thousand individuals. This species is listed in the category "close to the threat of extinction" in the International Red book. You can meet its representatives only on Sumatra - a large Indonesian island washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. The main range of the species is concentrated in the Northern part of the island in thickets of tropical rainforests. The catastrophic reduction in the number of orangutans is associated with the destruction of their natural habitat: the animals die during deforestation, lose their ancestral home, places of gathering food, or fall into the hands of poachers. To protect these unique primates from extinction, the European program for the conservation of the species in captivity was created. The Moscow zoo has been participating in it for over 20 years.

"The birth of the Sumatran orangutan is a great and joyful event for our zoo. Today, the natural population of this species continues to decline steadily, so the creation of a reserve population in zoos around the world is of particular importance. Our specialists have been working with Sumatran orangutans for many years and regularly receive healthy offspring. Subsequently, we send the young cubs to the leading zoos throughout Europe and Russia. Thus, the female Chavi had offspring in 2010 and 2012. And her mother, a 41-year-old female Chapi, gave birth to five cubs during her life", – Moscow zoo CEO Svetlana Akulova said.

Sumatran orangutans are extraordinary primates. They are very inventive and smart. That is why it is necessary to deal with them a lot in the conditions of the zoo, so that the animals do not get bored in any case and remain in good shape. Special trainings are regularly held with a group of orangutans of the Moscow zoo, as well as animals receive educational toys and various items of interest to study. Two females Chapi and Chavi were remembered with their love to wrap themselves in carpets and blankets, specially brought by the keepers, climb into plastic barrels, and build unique nests of straw. Also, orangutans have rich facial expressions and characteristically gesticulate, interacting with each other.

Now the newborn orangutan spends all the time, closely pressed to his mother’s chest. He will eat her milk up to 2.5-3 years, but he will begin to taste adult food - all kinds of fruits, vegetables, cereals - at the age of 5 months. Other members of the group - the cub's grandmother Chapi and his father, 38-year-old male Sando - stay away from the baby and his mother in order not to disturb them. As soon as the cub gets stronger, he will begin to get acquainted with relatives.

So far, zoologists are in no hurry to carry out a full examination of the little orangutan in order not to disturb him and Chavi unnecessarily. It will be possible to examine the cub no earlier than in a few months. Meanwhile, experts continue to monitor him literally around the clock. They also monitor Chavi’s well-being. By the way, she receives daily selected food - in particular her favorite persimmon, fresh herbs and vegetable mixtures.

You can admire the cub in the "House of Monkeys" pavilion, where Sumatran orangutans coexist with the Bornean orangutans, gorillas, monkeys Diana, lion-tailed macaques and other rare species of primates.

Sumatran orangutans are extraordinary primates. They are very inventive and smart. That is why it is necessary to deal with them a lot in the conditions of the zoo, so that the animals do not get bored in any case and remain in good shape. Special trainings are regularly held with a group of orangutans of the Moscow zoo, as well as animals receive educational toys and various items of interest to study. Two females Chapi and Chavi were remembered with their love to wrap themselves in carpets and blankets, specially brought by the keepers, climb into plastic barrels, and build unique nests of straw. Also, orangutans have rich facial expressions and characteristically gesticulate, interacting with each other.

Now the newborn orangutan spends all the time, closely pressed to his mother’s chest. He will eat her milk up to 2.5-3 years, but he will begin to taste adult food - all kinds of fruits, vegetables, cereals - at the age of 5 months. Other members of the group - the cub's grandmother Chapi and his father, 38-year-old male Sando - stay away from the baby and his mother in order not to disturb them. As soon as the cub gets stronger, he will begin to get acquainted with relatives.

So far, zoologists are in no hurry to carry out a full examination of the little orangutan in order not to disturb him and Chavi unnecessarily. It will be possible to examine the cub no earlier than in a few months. Meanwhile, experts continue to monitor him literally around the clock. They also monitor Chavi’s well-being. By the way, she receives daily selected food - in particular her favorite persimmon, fresh herbs and vegetable mixtures.

You can admire the cub in the "House of Monkeys" pavilion, where Sumatran orangutans coexist with the Bornean orangutans, gorillas, monkeys Diana, lion-tailed macaques and other rare species of primates.